Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Golf Gods Launches New Site

Golf Gods .com is now all new. Check out the site and enter to win a Pinseeker Tournament Edition laser rangefinder.

Golf Gods LogoIn the 90s, the founders of Golfgods.com were among the first and best known of the Internet golf pro shops. Known mainly for their catchy name and for their “hot smoking deals” on golf equipment, Golfgods was a pioneer in the modern-day phenomena of “search engine marketing.”

This morning at 12:00 a.m. C.S.T. Golfgods launched a freshly re-designed web-based retail shop. The new site is a fresh look for the Minnesota-based retailer of golf equipment and a radical-change from their previous Yahoo-store. The site features many add-ons compared to the old site including tabbed product sections, brand stores, electronic buying guides which were written by the staff of The Sand Trap .com and a streamlined check-out process. The site is located at golfgods.com.

Continue reading “Golf Gods Launches New Site”

Episode 014

Tiger demolishes Ames, Paula Creamer changes the business of gal’s golf, and Michelle Wie is ranked THIRD in the world? Also the media’s distance bias, Daly and Olazabal on the HOF ballot, and Nikki of BBV infamy.

PodcastI guess this week we learn that even when trying to compliment Tiger Woods, you have to be careful what you say. Stepehen Ames now knows that. Other topics in this week’s podcast include Paula Creamer changing the business of women’s golf, Michelle Wie debuting at number three in the women’s rankings, Daly and Olazabal as possible hall-of-famers, and Nikki of the Big Break V. We also get into a debate on media bias when it comes to the distance debate: which side are you on?

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 014 as an MP4 file. For those who want to subscribe to us in iTunes, click here.

For this week’s Show Notes – links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information – just read on.

Continue reading “Episode 014”

On My Mind

Tiger, 695.MB, 259 yards, and lots of ladies are on my mind as we really kick off 2006. What’s on yours?

It’s difficult to cope with the fact that the temperature in fahrenheit has less degrees than the loft of my hybrid right now. But cope I must, as “golf season” is a few months away for us in the northern regions of the United States.

A variety of things weigh on my mind these days, or at least flit through from time to time. The Masters will be upon us before we know it, my promise to “play as much golf as possible” will be revised almost daily by other obligations, and my fantasy golf team is in serious need of a kick in the pants. Some other things weigh on my mind, though, and as The Sand Trap is – at least in some small part – a blog, I’m going to take this opportunity to get a few out there.

Continue reading “On My Mind”

Episode 013

Tiger Woods, JB Holmes, John Daly, Michelle Wie, Jack Nicklaus, Morgan Pressel, and Annika Sorenstam. Wow, what a show!

PodcastTiger Woods is now two-for-two, both in playoffs. JB Holmes takes the FBR while John Daly walks off the course. Nicklaus back for another Masters? Maybe. Also, Michelle Wie vs. Morgan Pressel, Campbell’s petition, Annika Sorenstam, and a little more ribbing about Jeff’s poor Seahawks.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 013 as an MP4 file. For those who want to subscribe to us in iTunes, click here.

For this week’s Show Notes – links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information – just read on.

Continue reading “Episode 013”

Episode 010

What do Michelle Wie, Bubba Watson, Paul Azinger, and David Duval have in common? They’re topics in this week’s podcast.

PodcastMichelle Wie bombs out again in Hawaii, and Jeff and Erik show no sympathy. Is Wie a choker? When will Wie missing cuts simply become “same old, same old”? We also discuss the impact of Bubba Watson, Paul Azinger’s soon-to-be interesting 2006 in the commentator’s booth, and getting your kids involved in the game of golf. Plus, David Duval’s comback in this episode of “Golf Talk Podcast.”

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 010 as an AAC file (see note below colophon). For those who want to subscribe to us in iTunes, click here.

For this week’s Show Notes – links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information – just read on.

Continue reading “Episode 010”

Episode 009

Our last single-digit episode.

PodcastEverardo returns from his “business trip” in Hawaii to talk with us about sharing a hotel with Jason Gore and his family, attending the sparsely attended Mercedes Championship, and more. Other topics of discussion include Tiger Woods’ wealth, the 2007 PGA Tour TV contract, and Chinese golf in this, episode 009, of “Golf Talk Podcast.”

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 009 as an MP3 file. For those who want to subscribe to us in iTunes, click here.

For this week’s Show Notes – links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information – just read on.

Continue reading “Episode 009”

Episode 008

It’s a new year, but it’s the same ol’ Jeff and Erik. While Everardo suns himself in freakin’ Hawaii, we tackle some of the first issues of the 2006 PGA Tour season.

PodcastErik and Jeff tee off in the new year on players skipping the Mercedes Championship, “mandatory play,” Morgan Pressel, Annika Sorenstam, Tiger Woods (and his newly purchased fixer-upper $40M home in south Florida) in this, episode 008, of “Golf Talk Podcast.” You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 008 as an MP3 file. For those who want to subscribe to us in iTunes, click here.

For this week’s Show Notes – links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information – just read on.

Continue reading “Episode 008”

ABC Out in 2007

ABC has balked at Tim Finchem’s asking price and has apparently left the table in negotiations for television coverage in 2007 (and beyond).

ABC LogoGolf Digest and USA Today (via the AP) are reporting that television network ABC has walked out of negotiations with the PGA Tour for carrying tournament coverage beginning in 2007. This leaves only CBS and NBC at the table with Tour Commish Tim Finchem.

The current PGA Tour contract runs through the 2006 season. In 2007, the PGA Tour will feature a revamped schedule, a playoff system, the “FedEx Cup,” and a “Fall Finish”. Apparently, the ol’ Finchy is still asking for too much money, and ABC simply decided they’d heard enough. Despite having found success with Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo in the announcing booth, both players may need to hone their game for the Champions Tour come 2007 if they’d like at least a semi-regular paycheck.

Continue reading “ABC Out in 2007”

Thanks for the Memories

We wish Cody a fond (and hopefully short!) farewell and call out for someone to take his place at the same time! The nerve! 🙂

Thrash TalkThis is Erik J. Barzeski, Editor in Chief of The Sand Trap. Cody Thrasher, long-time columnist here at The Sand Trap, has had to resign his position due to some increasing demands on the homefront. His parting is peaceful and, should he be able to get some free time once again, temporary.

Cody is still going to participate on our forum, but his (again, possibly temporary) departure does mean one thing: we have space on our staff for someone interested in picking up where Cody left off – with a weekly “Thrash Talk” column.

Interested parties should email erik@ this domain with the subject “Thrash Talk” or they can post in the forum in this thread. Interested? We require at least a little computer skill (not much) and some writing skill (again, not much – that’s what editors are for). We do, however, absolutely require that you have a passion and a love of the game (golf, silly!).

We look forward to hearing from you and wish Cody all the best.